Automatic carton closing apparatus



May 12, 1970 A. E. FAVRO ET AL 3,511,026

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS ALDEN E. FAVRO WILLIAM B.JACKSON A. E. FAVROY ET AL 3,511,026

May 12, 1970 I AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 31, 1968 s w m 0% w H m .8. M O l N NM l EL i w om mw p AW i 5 1; p e 5% Q j EC 5 mm m x 5 mm May 12, 1970 A. E. FAVRO ET AL 3,511,026

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1968 a Sheets- Sheet s FIG. 4 E

lO\ 2 f H FIG. 6

INVENI'ORS ALDEN E. FAVRO WILLIAM B. JACKSON May 12, 1970 FAVRQ ET AL 3,511,026

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7

INVENTORS ALDEN E. FAVRO WILLIAM B. JACKSON May 12., 1970 A. E. FAVRO ET AL 3,511,026

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 10

FIG. 9

INVPINI'ORS ALDEN E. FAVRO WILLIAM B. JACKSON May 12, 1970 A. E. FAVRO ET AL 1,

AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS I Filed May 31, 1968 e Sheets-Sheet a q, g 6 5 k LO r g d L;

i M t g \k i) O cu I Ll Q INVEN'IORS m ALDEN E. FAVRO WILLIAM B. JACKSON United States Patent 3,511,026 AUTOMATIC CARTON CLOSING APPARATUS Alden E. Favro, Holcomb, and William B. Jackson,

Canandaigua, N-Y., assignors to Mobil Oil Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed May 31, 1968, Ser. No. 733,454 Int. Cl. B65b 7/26 US. Cl. 53-376 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for automatically closing and locking filled egg cartons. Apparatus includes conveyor adapted to convey open cartons past a plurality of closing devices in a longitudinal horizontal travel path. Closing devices include means for incrementally closing carton cover and bottom locking flanges to provide closed and locked cartons continuously and at high production rates.

This invention relates to an apparatus for closing cartons and, more particularly, to an improved and novel automatic carton closing apparatus for rapidly closing and locking cartons filled with fragile articles such as eggs or the like.

In recent years, the ever-increasing demand for and popularity of pocketed or cellular egg cartons for the retail trades has generated a definite need for reliable automatic high-speed apparatuses adapted to close and lock the egg-filled cartons. Generally, the carton closing apparatuses presently available and in use, are adapted to close egg cartons constructed essentially of a molded pulp one piece structure having a cover with front and rear wall portions and a bottom hinged to the lower edge of the cover rear Wall portion. The cartons also include a locking flap structure hinged to the front of the bottom and designed to exert locking forces against the inside of the cover front wall portion when the cartons are closed by the apparatus. Heretofore, carton closing machines and apparatuses which have been proposed are limited to closing these carton constructions or similar types of molded pulp carton designs. Among these prior art carton closing apparatuses are Carkhuif US. Pat. No. 2,842,920, Mumma US. Pat 2,909,880, and Burt US. Pat 3,314,214. All of the prior art egg carton machines, although generally satisfactory when used in the closing of molded egg cartons as described above, are limited in their versatility and are not adapted to be employed in connection with cartons of Widely divergent physical configurations, or with cartons formed from materials requiring somewhat more exacting closing specifications, as for example, thermoplastic materials such as foam polystyrene.

A particularly advantageous type of egg carton construction which has been recently developed and employed in industry with considerable commercial success, comprises an integrally connected dished cover section which is hinged to a bottom egg-receiving cellular section. Although the number of cells in the bottom section may vary, in practice, this section is preferably constituted of a dozen cells arranged in two parallel rows, each of which includes six cells. The cartons each include a locking arrangement consisting of a bottom locking flange which is integral with and hinged to the edge of the cellular bottom section of the carton and with the flange telescoping slidingly upwardly into locking engagement with a locking flange provided in the cover section of the carton, as the cover section is brought down toward the bottom section for the purpose of closing the cartons. The cover section locking flange may be formed integrally with and hinged to a side wall margin or edge of the cover section, to thereby provide an interlocking member for engagement with the bottom section locking flange when the cartons are in closed condition. Egg cartons which incorporate such novel carton locking arrangements as referred to hereinabove, are described and disclosed in Connie Lake US. Pat. 3,356,284. As may be readily ascertained, the prior art egg carton closing machines and apparatuses are not adapted to close and lock egg cartons which incorporate this novel carton locking cover and bottom section flange construction, and moreover, are not capable of being converted to accommodate this type of carton.

The present invention obviates and overcomes the limitations of prior art egg carton closing machines and apparatuses, by providing an automatic egg carton closing apparatus adapted to close, in an eflicient and highly productive manner, egg cartons of various types of construction. In effect, the present inventive egg carton closing apparatus is designed to accurately and correctly close egg cartons which incorporate interengaging cover and bottom section locking flanges. Further, the present egg carton closing apparatus may also be used to close egg cartons of the prior art constructions, without the need for any extensive modification of the carton closing apparatus.

Another important aspect of the egg carton closing apparatus, as contemplated by the present invention, lies in the provision of an apparatus adapted to meet the delicate requirements of devices employed in manipulating and closing cartons formed of generally rigid and easily fracturable materials such as thermoplastic materials like foamed polystyrene. In this connection, the present egg carton closing apparatus facilitates the gradual, incremental closing and locking of the egg cartons controlled to a degree of accuracy heretofore unattainable in prior art egg carton closing machines and apparatuses.

Essentially, the egg carton closing apparatuses, according to the present invention, consists of a moving endless conveyor belt adapted to move article-filled open egg cartons along a predetermined longitudinal travel path. As the egg cartons are conveyed by the belt, a plurality of spaced carton closing devices and implements will concurrently and/or sequentially impart relative motion to the carton elements, such as the cover section, and cover and bottom section locking flanges, so as to incrementally and automatically close the egg carton cover and position the cover and bottom section locking flanges into an interengaging locking condition. This, in effect, will facilitate the high speed closing of a continuously moving stream of egg-filled cartons being supplied to the conveyor belt of the carton closing apparatus.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present inven tion to provide an apparatus for automatically closing various types of egg cartons while the cartons are being conveyed along a predetermined longitudinal travel path.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically locking egg cartons wherein the appaartus includes a plurality of spaced carton closing devices adapted to impart motion to the carton elements so as to place these in interlocking engagement.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically closing egg cartons of the type having integrally hinged cover and bottom sections and interengageable cover and bottom locking flanges, wherein the apparatus includes spaced carton locking devices adapted to incrementally close the carton cover and position the cover and bottom locking flanges into interengagement upon carton closing so as to effectively place the carton into locked condition.

The invention herein will be clearly understood by consideration of the following description thereof, ref erence being made to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the carton closing apparatus according to the present invention, and with portions broken away for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side View, in elevation, of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an egg carton in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the latching mechanism of the egg carton of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 7-7 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the apparatus and illustrating one stage of the carton closing operation;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 88 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the apparatus and illustrating another stage of the carton closing operation;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 99 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the apparatus and illustrating another stage of the carton closing operation;

FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 1010 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the apparatus and illustrating another stage of the carton closing operation;

FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 11-11 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the apparatus and illustrating another stage of the carton closing operation; and

FIG. 12 is a transverse sectional elevational view on line 1212 of FIG. 3 with a carton positioned in the appaartus and illustrating the final stage of the carton closing operation.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 4 to 6, one form of egg carton, generally designated as 10, and adapted to be closed by the present carton closing apparatus, is now described in greater detail. The carton 10 may be basically the type of commerically available 2 x 6 egg carton illustrated and disclosed in Connie Lake US. Pat. 3,356,284 and described in detail hereinbelow.

Essentially, the carton 10 comprises a cover section 11 and a bottom cellular section 12 integrally connected thereto along a common longituidnal margin by an integral hinge member 13. The cover section 11 includes a generally planar, rectangular top surface portion 14 and four wall members integrally formed therewith. The wall members comprise side walls 15 and 16 respectively, and a pair of end walls 17 and 18. As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 4 through 6, the walls 15, 16, 17 and 18 depend downwardly from top usrface portion 14 and flare outwardly at a slight angle to the vertical. The lower longitudinal edge of side wall 15 extends into and is integrally connected with hinge member 13 which secures cover section 11 and bottom cellular section 12 in hinged relationship. A hinge 19 connects the lower longitudinal margin or edge of side wall 16 with a cover section locking flange 20, the latter of which is molded integrally with the lower front edge of cover section wall 16 along hinge 19. As shown in FIG. 4, cover section locking flange 20 may be integrally molded in flat position extending outwardly substantially perpenidcular to cover section 11. The locking flange 20 is adapted to be rotated inwardly of the cover section 11 to a position adjacent to and generally parallel with the inner surface of side wall 16 when the carton sections 11 and 12 are in closed relationship. The surface of locking flange 20 is provided with a plurality of wedge shaped projections 21 disposed at 10- cations intermediate pairs of adjacent cells in the bottom section 12 when the carton 10 is in a closed position.

The cellular bottom section 12 of the carton 10 is constituted of a series of egg-receiving pockets or cells 22 arranged in two parallel rows of six cells each, and divided by upstanding hollow, substantially pyramidal shaped post members 23. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, integrally hinged at edge 24 along the longitudinal length of the cellular bottom section 12, and opposite hinge 13, is a bottom section locking flange 25 which extends along substantially the entire length of bottom cellular section 12. Locking flange 25 may be integrally molded in a flat position extending outwardly, and substantially perpendicular to bottom section 12, and is adapted to be rotated about hinge edge 24 to a substantially vertical position, so as to be located interiorly of the front side wall 16 when the carton sections 11 and 12 are in closed relationship.

A plurality of longitudinally spaced wedge shaped detents or recesses 26 are provided on the surface of bottom locking flange 25, and disposed at locations intermediate adjacent egg-receiving cells 22 contained in bottom section 12. The wedge shaped recesses 26 conform in shape and are generally complementary to the wedge shape projections 21 provided on the surface of cover locking flange 20, and are adapted to receive the projections 21 in interlocking, mating engagement when the carton 10 is in closed relationship. As shown, the base portions of wedge shaped recesses 26 are located somewhat below the leading edge 27 of bottom locking flange 25 whereby a series of locking detents 28 are provided along the upper portion of locking flange 25.

In order to effect locking closure of the carton 10, bottom locking flange 25 is rotated about hinge 24 from its normal horizontal position to an upstanding or vertical position as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 5. Subsequently, cover section 11 is rotated about hinge 13 toward closing relationship with bottom cellularsection 12. Simultaneously, cover locking flange 20 is rotated about its integral hinge 19 to a position adjacent to the inner surface cover section side wall 16.

Upon describing the construction and operation of the present egg carton closing apparatus, reference may be made hereinafter to the above-described features and elements of the egg carton 10. The carton closing apparatus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, comprises a stationary main frame 30 which supports, in a manner well known in the art, an endless conveyor belt 31. The upper surface or reach 32 of the conveyor belt 31 is adapted to be contacted by the bottom sections 12 of the egg cartons 10 so as to convey the cartons in generally end-to-end relationship along a straight, horizontal travel path through the carton closing apparatus. A drive chain 33 connected to a motive power source 34, such as an electric motor, may impart the desired driving speed to conveyor belt 31 by means of a suitable drive sprocket 35. The electric motor 34 may be positioned adjacent to or mounted below the apparatus main frame 30. In order to assure the cartons 10 traveling along conveyor belt 31 in proper alignment with the apparatus carton closing elements, the conveyor belt 31, or at least the upper reach 32 thereof, is flanked by a pair of side rails 36 and 37. The side rails 36 and 37 comprise essentially upright, flat plate members or angle irons which may be bolted or screwed to the main frame 30 of the closing apparatus. If desired, the ends of the side rails 36 and 37 adjacent to the upstream or carton infeed end of the carton closing apparatus may be contoured outwardly and downwardly in order to provide some degree of guiding and corrective motion to any cartons 10 which are approaching the apparatus in a misaligned condition.

As the cartons 10 are conveyed along the conveyor belt 31 through a series of sequential apparatus closing regions, the cartons are subjected to a number of closing operations. In order to perform the closing operations on the cartons, a plurality of spaced closing devices, including carton locking flange folding members, cover section folding and guiding means and guide rails are provided along the path of carton travel through the closing apparatus. Thus, a carton cover closing member or plow 39 comprises a rod-like element secured at its leading end or upstream portion to the main frame 30 of the apparatus. The closing plow 39 is cantilevered to extend generally longitudinally over the conveyor belt 31 for a considerable portion of the length thereof, and is contoured to impart the initial closing motion to the cover sections 11 of open egg-filled cartons conveyed onto the conveyor belt 31 and passing between guide side rails 36 and 37.

A bottom locking flange folding member 40 is fastened by means of suitable brackets 41 to the apparatus main frame 30 adjacent to side rail 36 and conveyor belt 31 so as to engage and fold upwardly bottom section locking flanges 25 as the cartons 10 move through the apparatus. The leading upstream edge of the flange folding member 40 is bent into an outwardly and downwardly extending contour to thereby define a convoluted sloping surface 42 which upon being contacted by the bottom locking flanges 25 of the egg cartons will impart upward and inward rotating motion to the flanges. A continuous vertically rising portion 42a of folding member 40 extends along side rail 36 in order to maintain the bottom locking flanges 25 in their upward raised positions after passing contoured surface 42.

In order to prevent the bottom sections 12 of cartons 10 from lifting off the conveyor belt 31 during the upward motion of flanges 25 caused by the convoluted or contoured surface 42, a depending blade member 43 is adapted to contact and impart downward force on the upper surface of bottom sections 12 adjacent to and inwardly of the edges 24 as the cartons are conveyed beneath the blade member 43. The blade member 43 comprises a generally flat plate, the bottom edge of which is adapted to contact the carton bottom sections 12, and the upper end of which may be fastened to a suitable support bracket assembly 44.

A cover support bar 45 is attached to bracket assembly 44 and extends above and generally parallel with conveyor belt 31 so as to permit the bottom sections 12 of the cartons 10 to pass therebeneath. As the cartons 10 are conveyed below cover support bar 45, the latter prevents complete closing of the cover sections 11 by the cover closing plow 39, and positions the cover sections at predetermined angular relationships to the carton bottom sections 12. The cover closing plow 39 assumes the contour of a hold-down member adapted to maintain the cover sections 11 against the cover support bar 45 during a portion of carton travel through the carton closing apparatus. The cover support bar 45 comprises essentially a flat plate or rectangular bar stock, the upper flat surface of which is adapted to be contacted by the lower edges of depending walls 17 and 18 of carton cover section 11.

A cover locking flange folding device 46 is fastened to the apparatus main frame 30 adjacent side rail 36 and superimposed upon portion 42a of folding member 40. In effect, the folding device 46 comprises an angle iron 47 fastened to the main frame by means of a mounting rod 48. The folding device is angled relative to the carton cover section 11 which is being conveyed therepast so as to impart an inward folding motion to the cover locking flanges about hinges 19. Concurrently, the constant downward motion of the carton cover section 11 will cause the carton locking flanges 20 and to interengage in carton closing condition.

In order to impart final closing motion to the carton cover section 11, and to interlock cover and bottom locking flanges 20 and 2.5, a plurality of spaced rollers 48, 49, 50 and 51 are provided. The roller 48 comprises essentially a resilient roller rotatably mounted on a bent rod 52, the latter of which is attached to apparatus main frame 30. Roller 48 is mounted at a predetermined angle relative to a horizontal axis in order to apply a modest compressive or closing force to the upper surface of still partly open cover section 11. Roller 49, which is spaced further downstream along conveyor belt 31, is angled closer to the horizontal; whereas roller 50 further downstream may be still closer to being mounted horizontally. Finally, roller 51, which is positioned almost at the exit end of the apparatus, is mounted horizontally so as to assure that the carton cover section 11 is completely closed. All of the rollers 48, 49, 50 and 51 may be mounted in similar fashion on apparatus main frame 30, although for purposes of illustration, rollers 48 and 49 are shown to be mounted adjacent to side rail 38, whereas rollers 50 and 51 are shown to be mounted adjacent to side rail 36. Since correct alignment of the cartons 10 traveling through this portion of the closing apparatus is essential, vertically mounted guide rollers 53 and 54 may be positioned in spaced positions along side rail 38 in order to impart guiding pressure to the hinge members 13 interconnecting carton cover sections 11 and bottom sections 12. All of the rollers may be formed of or coated with a generally resilient material in order to avoid cracking the carton covers 11 as closing pressures are applied thereto.

As is evident upon reviewing FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings, all of the carton closing elements are disposed along predetermined zones of carton travel through the apparatus, whereby cartons 10 are maintained under constant control at all times. In order to obtain a more complete understanding of the invention, the operation of the carton closing apparatus as applied to a single carton 10 is now described, while having reference to FIGS. 7 to 12 of the drawings.

In FIG. 7, an open egg-filled carton 10 is conveyed between side rails 36 and 38 onto moving conveyor belt 31, whereby the latter engages the bottom surface portion of carton bottom section 12. The open carton 10 is now being conveyed toward the carton closing ele ments of the apparatus.

In FIG. 8, the upper surface of carton cover section 11 has been engaged by carton cover closing plow 39, and is being rotated toward closed position with carton bottom section 12, until an angle of approximately is obtained between the carton cover and bottom sections. Concurrently therewith, the bottom locking flange 25 of the carton 10 is rotated upwardly under the guiding restraint of the contoured surface 42 of folding member 40. Flange 25 is maintained in this generally upright position by the vertical wall portion 42a of folding member 40. Also, at this time, in order to prevent the carton bottom section 12 from lifting off the convey belt 31 as the bottom locking flange 25 is rotated upwardly, blade member 43, which is located in proximity to curved surface 42 of flange folding member 40, imparts a downward pressure or force to the top surface of carton bottom section 12.

In FIG. 9, the cover section 11 is maintained in a predetermined, slowly closing relationship to the bottom carton section 12 by,means of the cover guide or support bar 45, against which the depending wall bottom edges 17, 18 are pressed under the influence of closing plow 39. The cover locking flange 20 of carton 10, at this time, is engaged by the vertically inclined surface of cover flange folding device 46 and rotated downwardly and inwardly relative to carton cover section 11.

In FIG. 10, the cover section 11 has been closed somewhat more by the cover closing plow While still being supported by support bar 45. However, the cover locking flange 20 has been rotated further into the carton by the folding device 46, while bottom locking flange 25 is being contacted by the outer surface of cover locking flange 20. During this time, the bottom locking flange 25 is still being maintained in a generally upright position by the Wall 42a of folding member 40.

In FIG. 11, the cover section 11 has been closed still further by the cover closing plow 39 and has now passed the latter. Similarly, bottom locking flange 25 has now moved inside of cover locking flange 20, which in turn is being rotated up into the cover section 11 as the latter is being closed upon carton bottom section 12. Although not shown in the drawing, the trailing edge of carton cover section 11 is still, at this time, being supported by the support bar 45. This will assure the proper folding in of the rear portion or trailing end of cover locking flange 20 into the carton 10 during the final cover closing sequence, and also facilitate the proper conveyance of the carton from pressure roller 48 toward pressure roller 49. The angled resilient pressure roller 48 now exerts closing pressure upon the top surface of carton cover section 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, final incremental closing motion to the carton cover section is imparted by the resilient pressure rollers 49, 50 and 51. This will cause the cover and bottom locking flanges 20 and 25 to interengage and lock the carton 10 by means of suitable locking detents and projections in the flanges.

The requirement for a plurality of resilient rollers becomes of paramount importance when cartons of thermoplastic material are being processed in the closing apparatus. In particular, the rigid and easily fractured properties of widely used thermoplastic foam, such as foam polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride, require that the incremental carton cover closing be extended over a number of stages, as for example, four resilient rollers 48, 49, 50 and 51. This will avoid undue distortion of the cover section 11 and prevent damage thereto.

Since there may be some degree of friction between the side rails 36 and 38 and the cartons 10 and between the various carton closing elements and the carton 10, which may to some degree cause the cartons to twist or misalign, it is preferable that the surfaces of the apparatus which contact the cartons 10 be coated with a suitable anti-friction material. A particularly suitable anti-friction coating may comprise polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly sold under the tradename Teflon.

Although the apparatus has been described with reference to the closing of cartons having interlocking cover and bottom locking flanges, it is obvious that it may be readily employed in connection with cartons having only bottom locking flanges which are adapted to coact with the covers of the cartons. This, in elfect, renders the present apparatus to be applicable to various types of cartons not heretofore possible with prior art egg carton closing arrangements.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, such changes being within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited only as defined in the claims following.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for automatically closing cartons of the type including a bottom cellular section having a rear hinge on one side and a front hinge on the opposite side thereof, a cover section having depending front and rear side walls, the lower edge of the rear side wall of said cover section being connectively hinged to the rear hinge of said bottom section and the lower edge of the front side wall of said cover section having a cover locking flange connectively hinged thereto and coextensive therewith, and said bottom section having a bottom locking flange connectively hinged to the front hinge thereof and adapted to be positioned within said cover locking flange when said carton is in the closed condition, said apparatus comprising the combination of;

conveyor means contacting said carton bottom sections for moving said cartons along a longitudinal travel path past a plurality of spaced carton closing means,

said carton closing means comprising means adjacent said carton travel path for positioning said bottom locking flanges in carton locking condition during a first portion of carton travel,

means adapted to impart initial carton cover closing motion to said cover sections during said first portion of carton travel,

guide means adapted to maintain said cover sections in predetermined positional relationship with said bottom sections during a second portion of carton travel,

means extending generally along the path of carton travel for positioning said cover locking flanges in carton locking condition during said second portion of carton travel,

and means adapted to impart final cover closing motion to said cover sections during a subsequent portion of carton travel so as to effect engagement between said cover locking flanges and said bottom locking flanges whereby said cartons are secured in locked condition.

2. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said carton cover closing means is adapted to co-act with said guide means during at least part of said second portion of carton travel.

3. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means engaging the upper surface of said carton bottom sections during said first portion of carton travel so as to maintain said cartons in contact with said conveyor means during positioning of said bottom locking flanges into carton locking condition.

4. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said surfaces engaging means comprises a blade member adapted to impart a compressive force to said bottom sections adjacent the front hinge portion thereof.

5. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said bottom locking flange positioning means comprises a curved plate member adapted to impart camming motion to said bottom locking flanges.

6. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising a generally curvilinear bar member being coextensive with at least a portion of the path of carton travel.

'7. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cover locking flange positioning means comprises a guide rail.

8. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for imparting final closing motion to said cover sections comprises at least one rotatable roller means adapted to impart compressive force to the surface of said cover sections.

9. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a plurality of spaced rotatable roller means each adapted to impart compressive force to the surface of said cover sections so as to incrementally close said cartons during said subsequent portion of carton travel.

10. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein each of said roller means is mounted at varying angular positions so as to effect predetermined incremental closing motion of said carton cover sections.

11. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein at least the carton engaging peripheral surfaces of said roller means comprise a generally resilient material.

12. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 8 including at least four of said rotatable roller means positioned at predetermined spaced intervals along said subsequent portion of carton travel.

13. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said roller means and said cover section guide means are adapted to cooperatively position the trailing edge of said cover locking flanges during a portion of said subsequent carton travel,

and to position said cover sections for said final carton closing.

14. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein at least portions of said carton closing means are adapted to contact the surfaces of said cartons and are coated with an anti-friction material so as to facilitate motion of said cartons through said apparatus.

9 10 15. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 14 References Cited wherein said anti-friction material is constituted cssen- UNITED STATES PATENTS tially of polytetrafiuoroethylene.

16. A carton closing apparatus as defined in claim 1 233 2 8 17/1958 Carkhufi at 53-377 X wherein said conveyor means comprises a resilient end- 8 0/1959 Mumma 53 377 less belt member. 5 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner 

